Communion fast...

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Leon_Bloy

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I know this kind of thing gets asked all the time, but I couldn’t find a post that directly answered my question below, so please forgive me.

This morning I went, as I had planned to last night before bed, to an early mass before work. I had planned to eat breakfast prior to one hour before communion, but took too long, and ended up eating/having coffee (I did not finish all of it because I realized I was cutting it too close) until what I thought would be around communion time (25 mins into the mass). I know, I know, this was stupid.

When it came time to go to communion, I looked and it was only 52 or 53 minutes since I had eaten/drunk. I wanted very much to go to communion, which is so important for me, and so I went ahead. I had prepared prayerfully, etc., beforehand, of course.

I can’t tell if I’m being scrupulous or not. I thought “Jesus, under ordinary circumstances, wants me to receive him - wouldn’t he say, ‘you are going to not come to me because you need to wait another 7 minutes?’” But I am very concerned about following the law. I should have just eaten sooner or skipped it, given how much more important the Lord is.

Anyway, the Church’s rule is one hour, and it was not one hour. It was 52 or 53 minutes. I know I should have been more careful… but this having been done, what should I do now? Was this a sin - even worse, a mortal one? I really hope not… thank you for the help. I know what to do next time, but what situation am I in now, if any?

😦
 
The Communion Fast in the Roman Rite is one hour prior to Communion (though there are exceptions…such as Communion being brought to the Sick…)

If I were in your situation I would would not have gone to Communion. For I knew I had not observed it. It is the discipline of the Church.

A good thing to recall is a statement by Cardinal Ratzinger --that it can be at times even a good to intentionally not go even when one can… to be in solidarity with those deprived of Mass and the Holy Communion…not one such is not something one has to do…but I would note that if the above happened…I would not only be observing the discipline of the Church …but I could prayerfully observe it in solidarity with those say who are persecuted and do not have Mass…

As to what sin you may have committed…objectively such has traditionally been seen as grave matter…though I understand that some moral theologians suggest it admits of parvity of matter …*subjectively *you have to judge what you did at that moment…according to the three aspects needed for mortal sin.

(Now of course there are those out there who can be scrupulous here…and they ought to discuss the matter with their regular confessor. For they can over do it and not go only out of an irrational fear that they have not observed it…)
 
I’m afraid I would have to agree with Bookcat 100%

I wouldn’t get all freaked out, but would confess it the next time you go.
As it was explained, it IS a discipline set by the Church.
 
Canon Law:

Can. 919 §1. A person who is to receive the Most Holy Eucharist is to abstain for at least one hour before holy communion from any food and drink, except for only water and medicine.

§2. A priest who celebrates the Most Holy Eucharist two or three times on the same day can take something before the second or third celebration even if there is less than one hour between them.

§3. The elderly, the infirm, and those who care for them can receive the Most Holy Eucharist even if they have eaten something within the preceding hour.

vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P39.HTM
 
Also, if you’re going to eat before Mass, don’t use an estimation of Communion time (which can fluctuate based on the flow of the liturgy). Use the known Mass start time (which is much more predictable). Time the completion of your meal to be one hour before that - then you’ll have plenty of wiggle room (upwards of 20 minutes) if you misjudge when you finish eating. You could also set an alarm for one hour prior. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that Communion happens sooner during weekday Mass than it does on the weekends.

Otherwise, I agree with everyone here who said to confess it, and move on.
 
You could also not receive, and then ask the priest after Mass to open the tabernacle and let you receive.
 
JGMendes4049 said:
You could also not receive, and then ask the priest after Mass to open the tabernacle and let you receive.
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We should receive the Eucharist in the context of Liturgy unless there is an urgent reason (such as danger of death or lack of capacity to attend Mass at that time).
 
JGMendes4049 said:
You could also not receive, and then ask the priest after Mass to open the tabernacle and let you receive.
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The priest would most likely turn someone away for this, since it is not during the Liturgy of the Eucharist, and there is no urgent reason that this person needs to recieve right now and cannot wait until the next Mass.
 
ConstantineTG said:
We should receive the Eucharist in the context of Liturgy unless there is an urgent reason (such as danger of death or lack of capacity to attend Mass at that time).
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One can simply ask to receive…one does not need say a danger of death.

“Father I did not make the fast…but now it has been an hour since Mass is finished…can I receive Holy Communion”. “Sure”. (unless of course the person has already received that day -then one cannot receive outside of a Mass one participates in (a second time only) unless it is like you note the person needs viaticum for they are dying…
 
mfrances said:
The priest would most likely turn someone away for this, since it is not during the Liturgy of the Eucharist, and there is no urgent reason that this person needs to recieve right now and cannot wait until the next Mass.
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They do not need an urgent reason. Just a “just” cause. Like I did not receive Holy Communion at Mass due to missing the hour fast…or any good reason such as I did not make it to Mass today…can I receive. Of course it is best for Communion to be during the Mass.

A “just cause” in Canon Law is some reason that is not bad…many many things fit such.

I would think an example of a cause that is not “just” would be --cause I do not want listen to the readings and kneel…for I think Daily Mass is a waste of time…
 
The Canon should be interpreted with reason. You need not be so scrupulous. I wouldn’t stay away from Jesus because of only a few minutes. I believe in the fast but if I made one mistake and its not a habit. Receiving Christ is more important. It’s not a sin.
 
SteveGC said:
Use the known Mass start time (which is much more predictable).
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The old Church rule was three hours BEFORE MASS. So if you were still chewing something a second after 7am for a scheduled 10am Mass, you knew not to go at the 10am Mass.
 
Bookcat said:
Canon Law:

Can. 919 §1. A person who is to receive the Most Holy Eucharist is to abstain for at least one hour before holy communion from any food and drink, except for only water and medicine.

§2. A priest who celebrates the Most Holy Eucharist two or three times on the same day can take something before the second or third celebration even if there is less than one hour between them.

§3. The elderly, the infirm, and those who care for them can receive the Most Holy Eucharist even if they have eaten something within the preceding hour.

vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P39.HTM
Click to expand...
 
The important thing here is not the rule but the fact that you fasted. In the not-so olden days people would fast all night before recieiving Communion. What is one hour compared to this? More importantly, what is Jesus thinking in regard to the Communion fast? Does Jesus long for you to receive Him at any time, or does He long for you to love Him to the extent of abandoning food to receive Him? I cannot answer these questions. If we think of receiving Communion as a 1-hour rule, we are missing the point and will surely be held accountable. What if you’ve fasted for 3 days but have not examined, confessed, and renounced yourself? We must always make a place in our heart for Jesus prior to receiving.

There is a big temptation to say “I need to receive Jesus in the Eucharist every day to do x and y.” We all do, but if we abstain because we are not prepared Jesus is not going to abandon us nor deprive us of any grace in Holy Communion. By obedience and reverance I would reason, as would many Saints, to say Jesus would look favorably on this. So perhaps ask yourself “why do I receive Communion to the extent I do? Even if prepared, why do I receive?”
 
My opinion: you’re straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel.

The fast’s original intention, according to a very orthodox Nigerian priest I know (and Nigerians don’t mince words), was to prevent people getting sick and throwing up the Eucharist. As refrigeration and sanitation have improved, the fast times have decreased.

Going to Communion 7 minutes early is not something to obsess over. That’s the gnat.

The camel is going to Mass before work. Sometimes you don’t have a choice; maybe you’re a fireman, a nurse, a cop, a utilty lineman who got called out after a storm. I understand that, and so does the Church. Life is not perfect.

You’re being overly scrupulous.
 
Richard320 said:
You’re being overly scrupulous.
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It tis not per se a scruple.

One is to observe the one hour fast…or more.

(PS -just cause there may have been some additional practical reason for the fast in times past…such was not the only reason and is not the reason for it).
 
I am diabetic so I have to eat and take my insulin at certain times, so I don’t worry about the fast and I have gotten a perpetual dispensation for it, however I still abstain from meat on fridays but i do eat other types of protein on those days such as fish cheese and peanut butter.
 
Recieving the Eucharist ISN’T mandatory every Sunday or every time you attend Mass.
I would much rather try to keep to the will of the Church, Christ’s bride, then my own will.
In hind sight, the OP had an obvious sense of remorse for doing “his will” hence his post.
 
Thank you, everybody. I mentioned it in confession on Saturday and feel much better. This morning I was careful to stop drinking coffee in enough time to make sure I kept the entire fast.

😃
 
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